Improvement in machines for unhairing and scouring hides and skins



J. W. MODONALD. Machine for Unhairing and Scouring Hides and Skins.

No. 00,078. Patented Feb. 5,1878.

i Y \A/lNEESES F5 2 1l\|\/ENTEIR NFETERS, PHOTULITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTOPLn c.

UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES W. MCDONALD, OF WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES EOR UNHAIRING AND SCOURING HIDES AND SKINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 200,078, datedFebruary5, 1878; application filed December 17, 1877. I

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JAMES W. MoDoNALn, ofWoburn, Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Machines forUnhairingand Scouring Hides and Skins, of which the following is aspecification:

This invention is an improvement on Pat ent N 0. 184,17 5, granted-L-.-andE.lVI. Roberts, November 7, 1876, the nature of which will beexplained by reference to the accompanying drawing, forming a part ofthis specification, in which-- Figure 1 represents a vertical section ofthe machine with my invention attached; Fig. 2, a plan thereof, andFigs. 3 and 4 detail views.

The endless apron or belt A, instead of extending the length of themachine and passing under the scouring-roll B, as described in thepatent referred to, is arranged upon the rolls A A and operates topresent the hide or skin to be unhaired or scoured to the feedrolls 0 0.Beyond the feed-rolls G G, between them and the scouring-roll B and thepressure-r011 D, is a table or bed, E, preferably of metal, and inclinedfrom the feed-rolls toward the pressure-roll. The upper surface of thisbed or table, at the edge next the lower feed-roll, is flush, or justbelow the top of the lower feed-roll, and preferably is brought as 7near the roll as possible, and the lower feedroll on this account isfixed, and not yielding, as described in the patent spoken of. The tableor bed is also extended toward the pressure-roll, so as nearly to touchits periphery at its top, sufficient room being allowed for the movementof the pressure-roll to and from the scouring-roll, as hereinafter setforth. The cross-piece E supports the table.

The pressure-roll D is provided at each end with bearings in the leversD having vertical adjustability, and are operated by the treadle F inlifting the pressure-roll against the scouring-roll. This sameadjustability is provided the pressure-roll in the patented machine ofwhich my invention is an improvement; but I provide my roll withconstant rotation by means of the gear D which movement is not given thepressure-roll of Roberts.

The upper feed-roll G is provided with automatic adj ustabilityby meansof the springs 0 c placed respectively above and below movable bearingsat each end of the roll,-so that the roll is floated on the springs 0and provided with vertical adjustment against the action "of springs c.justed by bolts 0 arranged to pass through the ends of bars 0 whichcover the springs, and the nuts 0 The table H is arranged at the apronend of the machine as a support for the hides, on which they may bespread before feeding to the apron.

The scouring-roll has projections or blades like those described in theabove-named patent.

The gearing which 1 employ need notbe specified, in view of the state ofthe art and the following description of the operation of the machine:The hides, being properly prepared by dissolving the hair-sheath, arefed to the scouring-roll by the endless apron, feedrolls, andpressure-roll, the apron advancing the hide or skin to the feed-rolls,which seize, draw forward, and push it over the table or bed to thescouring-roll, which is caused to revolve much faster than thefeed-rolls, and the pressure-roll. The pressure-roll, upon being lifted,serves to hold the hide firmly against the scouring-roll, at the sametime by its rotation drawing the same, and the scouring-roll, revolvingmuch faster than the pressure-roll, removes the hair and scours the hideeffectually.

It will be seen that the employment of a narrow table or bed for thesupport of the hide or skin while being acted upon by the scouring andpressure rolls enables me to dispense with that portion of the apronheretofore used in presenting the hide to the scouring'roll, and alsoprovides a firm unyielding support for the hide, not liable toappreciable wear.

It would be possible to use the machine without an apron, if so desired,by moving the table H nearer the feed-rolls, and feeding directly fromthe table to the rolls; but I prefer to employ a short apron, because Iam enabled to prepare a hide for feeding while one is being scoured.

In the Roberts patent it was not necessary to employ a rotatingpressure-roll positively actuated, as the endless apron served topresent the hide to the scouring-roll; but as I do The tension of thesprings c is ad-' not use the apron for that purpose I am obliged to usethepressure-roll also as a feed-roll in advancing the hide to the actionof the scouring-roll.

This construction enables me to present and hold the hide or skin firmlyagainst the scourin g-roll, (thereby affecting a superior result overthat obtained in the Roberts machine,) as well as preventing thedestruction of the apron between the pressure and scouring rolls.

In some instances I speed the pressureroll so that it revolves fasterthan the feed-rolls, and, with the scouring-roll, exerts a slighttension on the hide.

I claim-- 1. In a machine for unhairing and scouring hides and skins, atable or bed arranged between a feeding device and a pressure-roll, tosupport or partially support the hide or skin in relation to ascouring-roll, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a machine for unhairing or scouring hides and skins, thecombination of the table E, thepositively-actuated adjustable revolvingpressure-roll D, and a scouring-roll, B, arranged immediately over saidpressure-roll, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the feed-rolls (J O, the bed or table E, thescouring-roll B, and the adjustable revolving pressure-roll D, asdescribed.

4. The combination of the endless apron, not extended beyond thefeed-rolls, a table or bed, E, the scouring-roll B, and an adjustablerevolving pressureroll, as set forth.

5. In a machine for unhairing or scouring hides and skins, thecombination of the feedroll 0, having a yielding bearing between thesprings 00, and means for-adjusting the same with the feed-roll O' allarranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination of the endless apron and feeding-rolls, or either,with the bed E, scouring-roll B, and an adjustable revolvingpressure-roll, substantially as described.

7. In a machine for unhairing and scouring hides and skins, thecombination of the positively-actuated adjustable pressure-roll,provided with means for vertical adjustment in relation to thescouring-roll, with the scouringroll arranged above said pressure-roll,substantially as described.

8. The combination of a positively-actuated adjustable pressure-roll,provided with means for vertical adjustment in relation to thescouring-roll, a scouring-roll arranged above said pressure-roll, asshown, and means for presenting the hide or skin, to be operated upon tosaid pressure and scouring rolls, substantially as described.

9. The combination of the positively-actuated adjustable pressure-roll,provided with means of vertical adjustment in relation to thescouring-roll, scouring-rolls, and feed-rolls, when the saidpressure-roll is caused to revolve somewhat faster than the feed-rolls,thereby exerting a straining action upon the hide or skin while it isbeing fed, substantially as and for the purpose described.

JAMES W. MCDONALD.

